As arrests reach 2,500, HC warns state govt

The number of people arrested in the crackdown on protesters who prevented women from entering the Sabarimala temple in Kerala crossed 2,500 on Friday even as Kerala high court warned the state government against playing to the gallery and harassing innocent people. The state police chief, however, said the crackdown would continue.

Hearing a plea filed by two devotees , a division bench said the government would have to pay a heavy price if it arrested innocent people. The court asked the government to submit a report on Monday. The petitioners said the police were arresting innocent devotees who participated in peaceful ‘nama japa yatra’ (hymn singing campaign) and some of them have been slapped with non-bailable charges.

Director general of police Loknath Behra said over 700 people from Pathanamthitta district — where the temple is located — as well as Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Ernakulam and other places have been arrested.

A total of 452 cases have been registered against 2,300 people for defying the SC order allowing women of all ages to visit the temple. “Cases have been registered... We have also decided to set up a special committee to see that the upcoming festival season (starting on November 17 for two months) does not see a repeat of the situation...,” Behra said. To ensure that the jails were not overcrowded, at least 1,500 from among those arrested have been let off on bail.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will on October 29 review with police officials the action.

Nair Service Society, a sociocultural organisation condemned the arrests. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said, “The CM is unnecessarily trying to create unpleasant situations by appointing CPI-M activists to take on the devotees...,” he said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah is arriving in Kerala today for one-day visit.